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Cork- A Food Map

A Food Map of the Wild Atlantic Way – Cork no. 1

This is the first of a series of Food Maps of places to eat along the Wild Atlantic Way, with details of Restaurants, Lunch stops, cafes, Food Shacks, Vegetarian options and Food Trails. Cork has many great places to eat in Cork city and county and is the link between Irelands Ancient East and the Wild Atlantic Way. As a result, we have added a few eateries which would not normally be in the Wild Atlantic Way.

The eateries are divided the food experiences into Lunch places in Cafes, Restaurants and Food Shacks; Pubs serving Food; Vegetarian Foods; Restaurants for the best local Foods and Food Trails and experiences. Firstly we list dining or award-winning restaurants need to be booked well in advance which is why a contact for each is attached. Secondly, many cafes, restaurants and food shacks serving the best local foods are open daily and do not need pre-booking. Thirdly, we list the vegetarian restaurants do not need to be pre-booked, apart from Cafe Paradiso, which is fine dining. Finally, we list the Food Tours which lets you meet the makers and producers of the foods and need to be booked in advance.

The Wild Atlantic Way starts in Cork and finishes in Donegal, with eateries using the best local ingredients. As ActivityDays is based in Cork we are the expert on this area, with hidden gems included for you to enjoy.

Blairs Cove House Restaurant

Chestnut Ballydehob in a renovated pub, with a Michelin Star.

The best local Food CorkRestaurants

Sage Restaurant,Midleton, East Cork

€€ Chef Kevin Ahearn is known for his 12-mile menu with foods from local area beautifully cooked. Michelin Bib. Courtyard Cafe during the day for relaxed dining. Sagerestaurant.ie 02146396

The Square Table, Blarney Cork

€€ Small restaurant in the village of Blarney with a big heart. Run by sisters Martina and Patricia they use the best local ingredients in season. Excellent Old Butter Roads Menu and Michellin Big Gourmandagain in 2019.ThesquareTable.ie021.4382825

Banstion, Kinsale, Co Cork

€€ Book well in advance for a table at Paul McDonald’s restaurants with has one of the best tables in Kinsale. Interesting & sort tasting menu which got Bib Gourmand in 2019. bastionkinsale.com0214709696

Michelin Star winner which uses forged foods and a great place to eat in summer. Pre-book. dinesuperb.com. 02820572

Chestnut, Ballydehob, Co Cork.

Newly opened 18 seaters with a meat and charcuterie focus with West Cork native Rob Krawczyk as chef-patron. Won a Michelin Star in 2019. Pre-book well in advance. restaurantchestnutwestcork.ie. 02825766

The Fish Basket at Long Strand serves freshly cooked fish daily

Hackets Bar Schull

Lunch in the best Cork Cafes, Restaurants and Food Shacks

Area of Cork

Name/ Email

Details

Cork City

Rocketman

€ Beside English Market in Princes St the Rocketman has delicious salads and such falafels.

Miyazaki, Barrick St Cork

€Japanese Takeaway with 6 seats for great tasing food.

Sandwich Stall, in English Market

Great Sandwiches, salad boxes or grab a coffee in the English Market, beside the Olive Stall and Fish Market. Sells out daily

Blarney

Old Post Office Cafe, Blarney

Just beside the entrance to Blarney Castle- lovely scones, good lunch menu.

North Cork

Thatch & Thyme, Kildorrery

Thatch Cafe serving great fresh food for breakfast and lunch. Dinner by appointment only

East Cork

– The Farm Gate, Midleton

€ A cafe and restaurant serving the best local foods from the English Market and East Cork. farmgate.ie

Sage Courtyard Cafe, Midleton

Tucked off the Main Steet in Midleton is a relaxing Courtyard Cafe serving food all day.

Kinsale area

Diva Boutique Bakery and Cafe, Ballinspillte

Stop for food after surfing or cycling old Head of Kinsale, do great sourdough bread and cakes.

Courtmacsherry

–The Food Depot,

A Food Truck on the Beach where Masterchef winner Diana Dodogpacs a punch with the flavours she produces in food. www.facebook.com/FoodDepotGourmetStreetKitchen/

Baltimore

Glebe Gardens

Is it a cafe, a restaurant or garden serving up its produce – it just tastes fresh and gorgeous.

glebegardens.com

Heron Gallery Garden

The Heron Gallery, Ahakista Vegetarian Lunch

The best Cork Vegetarian Restaurants.

Cork

Cafe Paradiso, Cork City

€€The best restaurant for vegetarian food where Denis Cotter cooking complex flavours for over 25 years without meat or fish. Book well in advance.Paradiso.restaurant

Quay Co-op, Sullivans Quay

€ A Cork institution where vegetarian meals are served all day, with a cafe on ground floor. – no need to book

The stall sells a wide range of Vegan ready to eat foods at the Princes Street Entrance to the English Market and delicious raw cakes.

Bantry

Organico, Bantry

€ Serves a wide variety of vegetarian dishes, salads, local cheese and great cakes

Ahakista

Heron Gallery

The Heron Gallery and vegetarian Cafe on the Sheep’s Head Peninsula opens in the summer. The food is fresh, tasty with a beautiul garden in which you can sit and admire the creativity. Very child friendly

Food Trails and Food Experiences in Cork

Visit the English Market Cork

Cork best Food Trails and Food Experiences

Cork

Cork Food History Tour

Guided Tours Tuesday, Thursday or by arrangement for groups- ActivityDays

Midleton

Jameson Distillery, Midleton

Guided Tour of the Distillery daily by arrangement- 11 am and 3 pm in high season.

Cobh

Fota House and Gardens

This Grand House from 19th Century with furnishings and an Arboretum has guided tours. See the vast kitchen and living areas of the big house. Fota Wildlife Park is nearby.

Clonakilty

Clonakilty Friday Food Trail

Guided Tour on Fridays with a local guide –ActivityDays

Bantry

Big House and Island Tour

Guide tour of Bantry House, Garden and Whiddy Island with a local guide on Fridays – ActivityDays

Thes blogs are planned for each County along the Wild Atlantic Way and would appreciate your help if you live in the area. Why not send us your recommendations, photos and say who they should be included. Send details to team@activitydays.ie